Introducing new female ducks to an all female flock

[CoDucks]

I am new to ducks this summer and could use some advice. Started with 3 Pekins, thanks to my college son buying ducklings and raising them (unbeknownst to his RA) in his dorm room for a month and bringing them home for the summer. All 3 turned out to be drakes and we rehomed them to a friends farm.

Did a ton of research and decided on Ancona ducks, bought 5 at a day old and the breeder was convinced all 5 were female. 3 were drakes and those were rehomed to a nearby farm. 2 remaining females are about 14 weeks old.

Added 2 female Gold Star Hybrids (18 months old, already laying). Put them in a separate pen and they quickly flew over the 4 foot fence separating them from the Anconas. All was good for about 3 days (even the Gold Stars kept laying) but came home and the Gold Stars had been pecked in the back of the neck to raw and bleeding. They've been back in a separate pen (taller fence) and sleeping enclosure for 5 days now. Only one pool, so today I moved it near the gate of the Gold Stars enclosure and they jumped right in. The Anconas came running and jumped in too and immediately started pecking the Gold Stars so I put the Anconas in their coop so the Gold Stars could get a swim.

Here are my concerns/questions. I believe the Gold Stars are really stressed. They quit laying, which is totally understandable. They came from a farm with a lot of ducks (and probably little interaction) and are really afraid of me, so catching them to spray their necks, move them, etc. causes them to pant, shake and yell like crazy. Now one of them is limping (won't put her right foot down). Caught her and gave her an epsom salt bath and checked for bumble foot, but didn't look like that was what it was. Her feathers remain pretty ruffled and she often sounds like she is whimpering. They are both eating and drinking some and I am giving them electrolytes. I understand keeping them separate for 2 weeks side by side (they spend most of their time right at the fence next to the Anconas), but is that just delaying the inevitable and they'll go right back to pecking when they are back together? I know they need to establish order, but don't want to stress the new ducks out unnecessarily.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Sorry to hear you're having so much difficulty introducing them. You're going about it the right way with keeping them separate, and I know it can be taxing (on all of you) but if there is that much fighting it's probably for the best for now.

Whilst the Goldens are in their own pen, why don't you try to befriend them? Sit with them for about fifteen minutes, talking softly and offering treats (peas or mealworms, or watermelon! Something healthy but yum). Gently toss the treats at first if they won't approach, and let them learn that you aren't a big monster predator.

Let the established ducks into the Goldens pen when reintroducing them. Like that, they are entering the Goldens' territory, not the other way around. Keep it brief at first, again something like fifteen minutes, then gradually a bit longer every day. Finally, when they are getting along in the Goldens' enclosure, open the door for them all to go out together.

Yes, it's a long-term thing, but if those Anconas are going to be that territorial, it might be the best way.

Good luck, hope that helps!

 

[CoDucks]

Helps a ton, thank you!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I had the same issue when I only had 2 ducks and brought in a third
Took weeks of look but don’t touch and then small one outings in the bigger area
After few weeks if that I was able to put my khaki in the pen with them but night they wouldn’t allow him in the duck house. That took another 2 weeks or so
I hacked babies at Xmas and kept the pens close together for a good 2 months before I tried introducing
It wasn’t to bad a few chases but nothing to crazy
Update ti now I have 15 ducks and I think my ducks are now use to me adding more lol
I got 2 new girls today about 2.5 months I let them straight into the yard
My dad drake was the only one that chased them and I’m pretty sure he was trying to mate so he went back yo the drake pen
Everyone else is acting just fine
A few head down chase yo show them who boss is but nobody being aggressive
At night they will have their own separate area to keep all safe
I guess when you only have a few they tend ti be harder to introduce more
Once you have more they just blend in better
These girls to have not been held and are scared of me
I have never taken ducks this old so I’m hoping I can gain their trust sooner then later
But my other ducks are all pretty tame and should help them warm up